Archive for Dual Deployment Project

Test flight #2 was as close to textbook as one could get. On mision ALS-043 flown on April 29, 2012, Nala rocket reached the expected height of 1060 Feet (1056, actually), at a peak velocity of 260 MPH. Main and Drogue parachutes deployed successfully, and the recovery harnesses all worked flawlessly.

Nala1 Liftoff on mission ALS-043

A detailed post-flight inspection revealed damage to an internal baffle for the drogue parachute deployment. A plastic container cap designed to hold the backup deployment charge apparently damaged the baffle. When the backup charge was activated, the cap shot forward with enough force to crush the baffle system.

Since the drogue parachute was deployed successfully by the primary system, this damage posed no problems for the mission. A redesign of the baffle has been completed, and installed.

June 9, 2012 is the date set for the last of three test flights for X2-06 Artemis / Nala.

The goal of test flight #3 is to check the baffle modification, as well as a general checkout for all flight & recovery systems on-board Nala rocket.

After this flight there will be a brief pause while X6-01 Nesaru / Adventure is prepared for its maiden voyage. No definite date for launch has been set as of yet, but many of the systems being used on Nala rocket are smaller versions of systems planned for use on board Adventure.

Nala rocket at apogee just after drogue parachute deployment...

Nala’s fourth mission is planned for later this summer on Launch pad #2 where the first of several radio transmitter tests will be performed. The goal is to develop the infrastructure to capture real time flight data from my rockets during flight. The other half of this mission will be the shakedown test for Launch Pad #2, my new high power launch pad.

Pathfinder performed wonderfully in three test flights using dual deployment technology, but in a small BT-60 diameter airframe.

Pathfinder on the launch pad.

The tests were a raging success! Only two missions were planned. After the second mission, we found that there was some minor wear-and-tear on one of the ejection charge canister holders. A simple masking tape fix was enough to prepare Pathfinder for an encore mission.

All three flights were met with cheers as the main parachute deployed on target at the pre-programmed altitude, and Pathfinder floated home with a nice and gentle landing.

Since Pathfinder is equipped with a Perfect Flite “Stratologger” as a flight computer, she had an additional role.

Missions ALS-037 and ALS-038 were spotted by the MTMA optical tracking crew. They were working as contributors to a national effort across many of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) club chapters in the country
to verify the accuracy of the peak altitude calculations from the Stratologger. This data is needed to qualify the Stratologger for use in NAR altitude competitions.

Pathfinder lifting off on it's maiden voyage, mission ALS-036

In that regard, we found the Stratologger to be completely in line with the tracking crew’s calculations, which were derived from the tried and true method of optical triangulation.

More information to come as I crunch through the data from these missions!

Also on the list will be at least three flights from Aurora X5 “Firefly”. The second flight (and possibly a third one) is planned as my first ever night launch. First launch will be an evening launch with the rocket camera on board. The second will be at dusk using the night flight gear. The final launch will be after sundown.